Our 2021 Top 10 List!

In the middle of our 5th year here at Supply Chain Game Changer we are proud to publish our 2021 Top 10 List. Here we are showcasing our 10 most popular articles for the first half of the year.

Since we’ve started we have amassed an extensive library of over 750 articles. There is something for everyone no matter what your interests, challenges and needs may be from one day to the next. And that fulfills our mission of sharing experiences and expertise for the benefit of all.

Still there is always more to right about to help our readers.

So let’s take some time to reflect, and look back on our 2021 top 10 list … so far!

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The Toilet Paper Supply Chain!

Our recent trips to Costco and Walmart, in mid March 2020, had one thing in particular in common. Both stores were sold out of toilet paper, with no knowledge as to when more was coming in to the store.

A few weeks ago, in mid February 2020, when the panic was starting to set in with respect to the Coronavirus we saw some people buying a lot of toilet paper. At the time we bought more packages than we should have, just in case, not realizing there was going to be a full blown run on toilet paper.

This seems to be the story everywhere, even on Amazon. Every store is sold out of toilet paper. Why is it sold out? It’s such a common product that’s merely made out of paper. Does it all come from China, where their factories are shut down? Is that the problem?

In light of the current situation we thought it was time to learn more about the Toilet Paper Supply Chain.

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Supply Chain at a Crossroads – Back to the Shadows or into the Spotlight?

Unchaining Change Leadership

Supply Chain has historically been considered a back office function, necessary but lacking in prestige and strategic value. The Coronavirus pandemic created a dramatic and highly visible disruption in that paradigm. Suddenly Supply Chain and its importance was on the minds of political and business leaders, and the common person, everywhere around the world.

When the pandemic winds down there is a very real danger that people will go back to doing, and viewing, things the way they were before the pandemic. They will quickly forget the pandemic’s impacts and the need for the strategic deployment of more robust and resilient Supply Chains.

Does that mean that the importance and value of Supply Chain is at a crossroads? Will Supply Chain go back into the shadows as a back office function, or will Supply Chain take its place centre stage under the spotlight which is its rightful place?

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The Top 8 Supply Chain Superpowers!

Working in Supply Chain is hard, and never boring. Challenges of every kind from every direction can appear without notice, disrupting the days planned activities.

Disasters, shortages, quality issues, system failures, process breakdowns, delivery delays, weather, demand changes, financial pressures, lack of cash, customer losses, supplier failures, workforce shortages and defections, competitive pressures and more all make every day interesting, to say the least, in Supply Chain.

How do Supply Chain professionals deal with all of these unplanned, yet unrelenting, fires? And how do they do it while keeping calm under pressure? In fact, how do they do it while thriving under the adrenaline rush?

They use a unique set of Supply Chain Superpowers!

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Blockchain Integration in Supply Chain Software: Transforming Transparency and Trust!

Have you ever wondered how blockchain redefines the traditional supply chain management landscape?

Using blockchain in supply chain software is a big deal for how we do business nowadays. Blockchain integration is a game-changer that’s shaking up how things work in trade and buying stuff.

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Create a Responsive Supply Chain to Handle Peaks and Lulls!

Creating a Responsive Supply Chain in advance of the peak shopping season is a no-brainer. While the season is usually described as the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, responsive processes have a lasting effect.

A Responsive Supply Chain offers greater flexibility with labor management, streamlines warehouse operations, reduces dock constraints, and much more. Managing the balance between peaks and lulls is essential, and supply chain leaders are starting to focus more on building responsive, proactive strategies well in advance of the peak holiday shopping season.

As noted by Inbound Logistics, “Many manufacturers start assembling products, mapping out product specs to determine capacity needs, and working with their transportation and distribution partners on reliable and cost-effective logistics solutions up to six months in advance.” 

To stay competitive, leaders need to understand the value of a responsive supply chain and what best practices to follow to build responsiveness intuitively into the supply chain.

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Supply Chain Thrives in these Challenging Times!

The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic have supply chain professionals working harder than ever – but compensation is rising significantly to match.

As a recruitment firm specialized entirely within supply chain management, we at Argentus write about a variety of topics at the intersection of talent and supply chain – everything from career advice, to hiring advice, to supply chain industry news.

But perhaps no topic draws more interest from Argentus’ readers than salary intel, which makes sense: people in the field want to see how their current situation stacks up. Especially in a hot job market like this one.

How much are people making? How much additional compensation or vacation are they getting? What’s their level of job satisfaction?

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How to Make Your Supply Chain More Efficient!

As demand increases, your supply chain needs to be working as efficiently as possible.  While you can never predict a sudden surge in demand for your products, you can easily make sure you’re always prepared to start shipping at a faster rate. We’ve outlined below some of the best tactics to make your supply chain more efficient.

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The Art of Supply Chain Management!

For many people who work in Supply Chain Management, or for those on the outside, it functions on the foundation of processes, formulae, and metrics. This is very much the core of Supply Chain education and certification as well.

But in truth the most effective and efficient Supply Chain operations, and Supply Chain leaders, transcend these basics. How many of our current problems are because people are stuck in thinking about the mere mechanics of Supply Chain.

The best Supply Chains, and their leaders, have mastered the ART of Supply Chain Management!

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Broken Links are a Chance to Strengthen Your Supply Chain!

Continuity of supply requires every aspect of your Supply Chain to be connected. The word “chain” makes the interdependence of these Supply Chain links clear, both metaphorically and literally. Supply Chain cannot function with broken links.

Raw material suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, logistics companies, processes, systems and resources must all function, more or less harmoniously, to make any Supply Chain work.

But, just as elements of the Supply Chain must be linked, it is also true that links can and will be broken, whether deliberately or accidentally, and certainly unexpectedly.

The effectiveness of any Supply Chain is how to reattach these links, or forge new links, to make your Supply Chain more resilient, more robust and stronger than ever.

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With Covid-19 Supply Chain Professionals Are More Important Than Ever!

A few weeks ago, we wrote about the impact of the Coronavirus epidemic on Supply Chains – specifically, how the emerging crisis in China had placed new pressures on companies importing finished goods and raw materials from overseas.

In that post, we wrote: “an epidemic striking at the heart of global manufacturing is a stone thrown into the ocean of the global economy, and the ripple effects are sure to be felt downstream. In the west, they may just be starting.”

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How to Improve Supply Chain Security and Safety!

The supply chain is one of the most important parts of any company’s operations. It’s the comprehensive system of people and entities involved in creating products, getting them to consumers, and ensuring business profitability. When the supply chain falters, entire companies can lose profits, revenue, and even loyal brand advocates. 

Unfortunately, various factors can influence the performance of your supply chain, from socio-political issues, economic changes, and unpredictable weather. Dangerous driving behavior can put your products and assets at risk.

Even cybersecurity threats can impact supply chain operations, and harm your business reputation. The question is, how do you preserve the security and safety of your supply chain?

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The Supply Chain Workload Iceberg!

SC Viral The Pandemic Diaries

Supply Chain responsibilities are vast in any organization. These jobs reach far and wide, touching virtually every business process, most metrics, and all functional areas.

But too often the expected deliverables from Supply Chain professionals are established without a real understanding of the totality and breadth of actual tasks that must be performed underneath those high level expectations.

With an iceberg it is said that only 10% of it is visible as the rest is under the water. This can be analogous to the work done in Supply Chain.

So let’s explore the Supply Chain Workload iceberg!

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The Role of Advanced Telematics in Modern Supply Chain Optimization!

The world of modern commerce continues to move at break-neck speed, and supply chains play a pivotal role in ensuring that goods are efficiently transported from manufacturers to consumers. With the rise of e-commerce and global trade, the demand for seamless and optimized supply chain operations has become more critical than ever. 

Amidst these challenges, the integration of advanced telematics platforms has emerged as a game-changer, offering businesses the tools they need to navigate the complexities of the supply chain landscape.

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Why Good Logistics Must Be at the Heart of All Supply Chains!

Whether it’s a supply chain or a supply web, the logistics and transport your business has in place will determine whether your supply chain is a hindrance or a help. All businesses need to get supplies and raw materials in and ensure that their products are delivered as efficiently and effectively as possible.

This article details, in brief, some of the most pertinent considerations for a good logistics solution that will work for your business.

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